At World Book Night, our commitment to spreading a passion for reading doesn’t just last for one night and we want you to help us by becoming a reading ambassador. If you love reading, you know what a sublime experience it can be, how much pleasure you can get from the story, how bereft you can feel when it’s over and how much richer you can be from the experiences you’ve read about. Being a reading ambassador means nothing more than helping to spread your love of reading as widely as possible. And there are a few simple things you can do to help.
Share the reading experience
We all know people who, for whatever reason, have fallen out of the habit of reading (or never got into it in the first place). They might read on holiday and love it but just never get round to doing it once they’re back home and busy. Give them your favourite book (or one you think they’d really love) and tell them what it means to you with a no pressure suggestion that they might like to give it a go.
Give more books
Books make great gifts, and not just at Christmas. Giving someone a book can mean so much more than giving a pair of socks, a scarf or some bath oil. You can choose your favourite novel, the latest cookbook by their favourite chef, a guide to far flung places or just something to make them smile. And books don’t just have to be for special occasions. Why not take a book instead of chocolates, flowers or wine next time you’re going to someone’s house for dinner?
Support your local bookshop
Good local bookshops are the most amazing places, treasure troves full of undiscovered gems with knowledgeable staff who can help you find a book on almost anything. But, like many local shops and services, they’re under pressure from rising costs, supermarkets and the internet. Without them communities are poorer and high streets bleaker, so if you love books support your local bookshop too: explore their corners, buy something you wouldn’t normally read but might just love, attend an event and spread the word about how great they are.
Join your local library
Libraries have never been under greater threat and arguably have never been more important. Visit your local library, join and start borrowing books and fight to keep it open.
